Welcome to the St. Petersburg cruise port guide. The city of St. Petersburg is a city that is on the bucket list of many. It simply is a city you have to have visited at least once in a life time. It is the former capital of the grand and glorious empire that stretches half way around the world. This city of 4,6 million inhabitants was build with the pure intention to become the “window to the west”. In 1703 Peter the Great would kick off a monumental change in history. He started building a city that would embrace western ideas and give it the oppurtunity to flow into Russia. It would take Peter the Great 18 years and countless lives to be able to do it. Up til that point in history there was no battle in time that had cost as many lives as it would to build St. Petersburg. Therefore St. Petersburg is nicknamed the city of bones. This window to Europe would within a decade became such an important city that Peter decides to change it into the capital of Russia. What Peter the Great started is something that the wife of his grandson would finish. Catherine the Great is one of the most captivating women to ever walk this earth. She plotted her way to the top of the Russian Empire and claimed the Russian throne for 34 years. Under her rule St. Petersburg would undergo a building boom unlike Russia had ever seen. St. Petersburg is a beautiful and fascinating destination and also one of the most intriguing destinations in Europe. The stories about this empire never fail to amaze anybody especially because the evidence of all this history is standing before you. St. Petersburg might just be the most interesting architectural city in the world.

At the Marine Facade passenger port, where most cruise ships dock, is where you find several docking locations and all of them have an identical cruise terminal like this.

When you step into the cruise terminal of St. Petersburg you directly go through immigration and than you come into this area where the shops, atm’s and taxi information desk is at.

The taxi prices are on display. Take a picture so you later know what price is reasonable.

Right in front of the terminal is where you find the bus stop for the local bus 158 that can take you to the metro station.

Russian language

Cruise Port Guide St. Petersburg – Russia: docked

Cruise ships usually dock at the Marine Façade passenger port. Only smaller ships dock at the English Embankment. If your ship is docking here than count yourself lucky because you are right in town. It is a 2 km walk to the Hermitage museum.

Most cruise ships have to dock at the Marine Façade passenger port. This is about 10 km / 30 minute drive from this cruise terminal to St. Petersburg city center. You can in check in advance where your ship is going to dock. Go to the following link and see if your ship is on the list. If it not mentioned on the list you will dock the English Embankment and if it is listed as an MF berth your ship will dock at the Marine Facade. Check this through: http://www.portspb.ru/en/Ships_Schedule

However first some basic information you need to be aware of when visiting St. Petersburg. To be able to leave the terminal and go into St. Petersburg you need to have a valid visa. This always raises a lot of questions on what, where and how. To keep it simple: underneath are the only 3 way to get a valid visa:

– Pre arrange a Russian tourist visa through the Russian embassy back home.

– Book a shore excursion through the ship.

– Book a shore excursion through an independent tour operator.

Bottomline is you need to present your passport and either a valid tourist visa or voucher issued by a Russian travel company or another authorized organization. Some nationalities do not need a visa and therefore this does not apply to them. These nationalities are amongt other: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Israel, Nicaragua, Peru, Turkey, Ukraine and Venezuela. For more information: http://www.saint-petersburg.com/russian-visa/visa-free-travel/

Transportation Most people will opt for a shore excursion in St. Petersburg although this is not for everyone. If you have a valid visa and you are going out by yourself please know that the best way to get into the city centre is either by taxi or by bus and metro.

Taxi There is a taxi information desk in the terminal in St. Petersburg. The taxi prices are also on display. Here is an idea of what these taxis will cost you: Marine Façade passenger port – Primorskaya metro (closest metro station) = 500 roubles Marine Façade passenger port – City Centre = 1200 roubles

Public Transport At each terminal at the Marine Façade passenger port you will find a bus stop. Local bus 158 will come by about twice every hour, you buy your ticket at the driver. Take this bus to the nearest metro station: Primorskaya. The bus ride is about 20 minutes and get off at Primorskaya. You will find the metro station right in front of the bus station. Buy a token at the ticket counter and hop on the metro. To go to the city centre you hop off the 2nd stop at Gostiny Dvor / Nevsky Prospekt. This stop is at the main street of St. Petersburg. Find a map of the metro here: http://www.metro.spb.ru/en/map.html

Hydrofoil You can take the Hydrofoil “Peterhof express”from in front of the Winter palace / Hermitage Museum to Peterhof. They take you down the Neva river and Gulf of Finland to the famous Peterhof. They go about every 30 minutes.

FAQ– Can I stay in town after my excursion? Only if you have a valid visa issued by the Russian embassy. If you do not have such a visa officially you need to return right after your excursion or else you might be fined. – What is the local currency? Russian Rubbles – Do they take US dollars in St. Petersburg? Most places do. – Can I buy a valid visa in the terminal? No. – Is St. Petersburg safe at night? It is, but be very careful. – Can I change money in the terminal? No. However, at the Marine Facade Passenger Terminal you’ll find ATM’s in the terminal where you can get Rubles. Most people decide to already change in Tallinn or any other port of call on the intinerary.

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